No person in the Executive or Judicial Branch with authority to take or recommend a personnel action relative to a person in, or an eligible applicant for, a position in the government service may make inquiry concerning his political affiliation. All disclosures concerning political affiliation shall be ignored except membership in political parties or organizations constituted by law as a disqualification for government employment. Except as may be authorized or required by law, discrimination may not be exercised, threatened, or promised by any person in the Executive or Judicial Branch against or in favor of an employee in, or an eligible applicant for, a position in the career service because of his political affiliation.